Port Trades

In 2018 2 500 000 tons of goods and 1 000 vessels transited through the Port of Bayonne (corn, sulphur, wood, fertilisers, iron, chemicals, hydrocarbons). These operations were made possible thanks to the work of a large number of professionals.

Harbour master

The port authorities are home to the port’s officers and their assistants. They are government employees responsible for policing the port and represent the port authority.

Main missions :

Receive vessels and help them to dock

Supervise waterways

Assess risks of pollution

Relay alerts to emergency services

Statutory follow up of hazardous goods (IMDG code)

Ensure the code of ports is respected

Piloting

Pilots assist the commanders of vessels during port
entry/exit manœuvres. In some cases, given the risk of running aground, the
presence of the pilot on board is compulsory.

Towing

Port towing is an essential service for
vessels. It enables ships, which alone would not be able to manœuvre correctly
within the port area, to moor. Tugs are always armed and ready to intervene in
emergency assistance operations.

Dredging

The Port of Bayonne has equipped itself with its own
dredger, the Hondarra, in order to guarantee the waterway’s accessibility. The sand removed is used to maintain the coastline along beaches to
the north of Anglet. Daily operations are carried out.

Boatage

Boatage is an assistance service for mooring and unmooring operations
for vessels as they arrive at or leave the port.

Boaters are specialised sailors who can intervene at a port of call to
moor a vessel in a berth or move it from
one berth to another.

Crane operators & stevedores

Stevedoring plays an essential role
in the correct management of port operations. There
are several types:

Vertical: All lifting operations between vessels and
the quayside. They are carried out by specially
trained crane operators